Comparing & Contrasting Folklore From Aesop’s Fables, 1912, public domain From All About the Three Little Pigs, 1914, public domain Copyright © 2014 Brenda Kovich All rights reserved by author Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only

Comparing & Contrasting Today we will compare and contrast two fables, “The Grasshopper and the Ants” and “The Three Little Pigs,” in a paragraph. To do this, we will take three steps: Identify four elements Find similarities and differences Write a paragraph

Identifying Four Elements First, we will identify elements of each story: Characters - people or animals Setting - where the story takes place Plot - main events Topic or Theme - the central idea Using a table makes this job easier.

THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS Using a Table THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS THE THREE LITTLE PIGS Characters Setting Plot Theme

Finding Similarities & Differences Second, we will figure out which elements are similar and which are different. Elements do not have to be exactly alike to be similar. You may need to think carefully to find similarities. Using a Venn diagram makes this job easier.

The Grasshopper and the Ants Using a Venn Diagram The Grasshopper and the Ants The Three Little Pigs Setting Countryside Characters Grasshopper and Ants Plot Prepared characters help unprepared characters Characters Three Pigs Theme Be prepared

Constructing a Response Finally, we will construct a response with these steps: Write a topic sentence Decide how you want to organize the paragraph Add similarities and differences

Writing a Topic Sentence The topic sentence is the first sentence in the paragraph. It should include the stories’ titles and whether they are more similar or more different. Are “The Grasshopper and the Ant” and “The Three Little Pigs” more alike or more different? Since three of four elements are similar, these stories are more alike.

Writing a Topic Sentence Let’s try writing a few possible topic sentences for the paragraph: “The Grasshopper and the Ant” and “The Three Little Pigs” are similar stories. “The Grasshopper and the Ant” and “The Three Little Pigs” are more alike than different. Many similarities can be found in “The Grasshopper and the Ant” and “The Three Little Pigs.”

Organizing the Paragraph Your paragraph can be organized in three different ways: Tell the similarities then tell the differences Tell the differences then tell the similarities Tell about one story then tell about the other You should organize it in a way that makes sense with your topic sentence.

Organizing the Paragraph How should the paragraph for “The Grasshopper and the Ant” and “The Three Little Pigs” be organized? Tell the similarities then tell the differences Tell the differences then tell the similarities Tell about one story then tell about the other Since the stories are more alike than different, it makes sense to tell the similarities then the differences.

Adding Similarities & Differences After the topic sentence, we add the similarities and differences from the Venn diagram.

Adding Similarities & Differences “The Grasshopper and the Ant” and “The Three Little Pigs” are similar in many ways. Both stories, set in the countryside, have characters who do not prepare for something and other characters who help them. The Grasshopper doesn’t prepare for winter and the Ants help him. Two pigs don’t prepare strong houses and their brother helps. The theme for the stories is “be prepared.” The only major difference is that one story has insect characters while the other has pigs.

Let’s Review To compare and contrast two pieces of folklore, take these steps: Identify characters, setting, plot, and theme Find similarities and differences Write a paragraph 1. Write the topic sentence 2. Determine the organization 3. Add similarities and differences